1.
Effectiveness of a Smartphone Application for the Management of Metabolic Syndrome Components Focusing on Weight Loss: A Preliminary Study.
Toro-Ramos, T, Lee, DH, Kim, Y, Michaelides, A, Oh, TJ, Kim, KM, Jang, HC, Lim, S
Metabolic syndrome and related disorders. 2017;(9):465-473
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are inconsistent results for the effectiveness of using smartphone applications (apps) or websites on weight loss. We investigated the efficacy of a smartphone intervention using a designated app that utilizes a lifestyle intervention-focused approach, including a human coaching element, toward weight loss in overweight or obese Korean adults. METHODS One hundred four adults aged 20-60 years with a body mass index ≥23 kg/m2, who signed up for a smartphone program for weight loss (using the Noom app), were recruited. Participants received an in-person orientation about the study and app use, and a baseline blood sample was obtained. The in-app intervention with daily behavior and nutrition education content and coaching lasted 15 weeks. The primary endpoint of the study was a change in weight. The secondary endpoints were changes in metabolic risk factors such as blood pressure, waist circumference, and glucose and lipid profiles. Body composition changes were also assessed, and body weight at 52 weeks was measured to ascertain long-term effects. RESULTS Participants showed a clinically significant weight loss effect of -7.5% at the end of the 15-week program (P < 0.001), and at a 52-week follow-up, a weight loss effect of -5.2% was maintained. At 15 weeks, percent body fat and visceral fat decreased by -6.0 ± 5.4% and -3.4 ± 2.7 kg, respectively (both P < 0.001). Fasting glucose level also decreased significantly by -5.7 ± 14.6 mg/dL at 15 weeks. Lipid parameters showed significant improvements, except for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The frequency of logging meals and exercise was associated with body fat loss. CONCLUSIONS This advanced smartphone app was a useful tool to maintain weight loss in overweight or obese people.
2.
Enhanced fatty acid uptake in visceral adipose tissue is not reversed by weight loss in obese individuals with the metabolic syndrome.
Bucci, M, Karmi, AC, Iozzo, P, Fielding, BA, Viljanen, A, Badeau, RM, Borra, R, Saunavaara, V, Pham, T, Hannukainen, JC, et al
Diabetologia. 2015;(1):158-64
Abstract
AIMS/HYPOTHESIS Obesity causes an imbalance in fat mass distribution between visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue (AT) depots. We tested the hypothesis that this relates to increased NEFA uptake between these depots in obese compared with healthy participants. Second, we hypothesised that a diet very low in energy (very low calorie diet [VLCD]) decreases fat mass in obese participants and that this is associated with the decline in NEFA uptake. METHODS NEFA uptake in AT depots was measured with [(18)F]-fluoro-6-thia-heptadecanoic acid ((18)F-FTHA) and positron emission tomography (PET) in 18 obese participants with the metabolic syndrome before and after a 6 week VLCD. Whole body fat oxidation was measured using indirect calorimetry and [U-(13)C]palmitate. Sixteen non-obese participants were controls. RESULTS Obese participants had >100% higher (p < 0.0001) NEFA uptake in the visceral and subcutaneous abdominal AT depots than controls. VLCD decreased AT mass in all regions (12% to 21%), but NEFA uptake was decreased significantly (18%; p < 0.006) only in the femoral AT. Whole body carbohydrate oxidation decreased, while fat oxidation increased. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION The data demonstrate that weight loss caused by VLCD does not affect abdominal fasting NEFA uptake rates. We found that visceral fat takes up more NEFAs than subcutaneous AT depots, even after weight loss.
3.
Does the presence of metabolic syndome influence weight loss in obese and overweight women?
Evangelou, P, Tzotzas, T, Christou, G, Elisaf, MS, Kiortsis, DN
Metabolic syndrome and related disorders. 2010;(2):173-8
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is known that weight loss is beneficial for obese and overweight subjects with metabolic syndrome. Very few data exist, however, about whether the presence of metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance (IR) influence the response of these subjects to weight-reducing interventions. The current study intends to examine whether the presence of metabolic syndrome and its components could influence weight loss in obese and overweight women during a short-term, dietary-based intervention program. METHODS A total of 107 women aged 49.1 +/- 13.5 years old, with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 25 were studied. The subjects were prescribed a low-fat diet plus weight-reducing drugs when necessary. RESULTS After 3 months, the subjects with metabolic syndrome lost more weight than those without (6.62% vs. 4.50%; P < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between the percentage of weight loss and the number of the components of metabolic syndrome present at baseline (Spearman rho = 0.329; P < 0.01). Furthermore, patients in the quartile with the highest homeostasis model assessment index (HOMA-index) lost more weight than the remaining subjects (8.17% +/- 3.34 vs. 5.59% +/- 3.87; P < 0.05). These results were significant, even after adjustment for the medical treatment prescribed. CONCLUSIONS Obese and overweight patients with metabolic syndrome showed a greater reduction of their body weight, compared to the patients without metabolic syndrome. The components of the metabolic syndrome present at baseline correlated positively with the percentage of the weight loss. Finally, the patients with the highest levels of HOMA-index at baseline lost significantly more weight than those with lower levels of this parameter.